Towards Look-Locker encoding as an arterial spin labeling mechanism: T1/B1+/perfusion mapping with MR Multitasking

We hypothesized that the Look-Locker (LL) effect can label arterial spins without the need for subtraction between different inversion schemes. We developed a multiple-flip-angle, non-selective-inversion MR multitasking brain scan to produce co-registered T1, B1+, and perfusion-weighted maps. Flow-sensitive LL fitting homogenized B1+ maps and produced flow maps combining features of time-of-flight angiography images and PCASL perfusion-weighted images. GM/WM flow ratios were similar to PCASL and the literature range.